‘IN LONDON 

Barmen, 15 April 1848 

Dear Emil, 

I am safely back here again. The whole of Barmen is waiting 
to see what I shall do. They believe ’'m going to proclaim the 
republic forthwith. The philistines are trembling with vague 
fear—what of, they themselves don’t really know. At any rate, it is 
believed that, now I am here, much will speedily resolve itself. C. 
and A. Ermen were quaking visibly when I walked into their office 
today. I, of course, am not meddling in anything but. waiting 
quietly to see what happens. 

The panic here is ineffable. The bourgeoisie are calling for 
confidence but confidence has gone. Most of them are fighting for 
existence, as they themselves put it. This doesn’t fill the workers’ 
bellies, however, and from time to time they rebel a little. General 
dissolution, ruin, anarchy, despair, fear, rage, constitutional 

4 editorial offices of Le Populaire 

62. Marx to Engels. About 24 April 1848 171 

enthusiasm, hatred of the Republic, etc., are rampant, and the fact 
is, for the time being, the richest people are the most tormented 
and frightened. And the exaggerations, the lies, the ranting and 
the railing, are enough to drive one out of one’s mind. The most 
placid of citizens is a real enragé* 

But they're in for a surprise when once the Chartists make a 
start. The business of the procession was a mere bagatelle. In a 
couple of months, my friend, G. Julian Harney, to whom pray 
address the enclosed letter, 9 Queen Street, Brompton, will be in 
Palmerston’s shoes.?"” I’Lt Ber vou TWOPENCE AND IN FACT ANY SUM. 

All is well with your mother and mine. They are expecting your 
brother Hermann; Anna is in Hamm. My regards to Marie” and 
the children. A bientot. 

Your 
F.